• Return on Investment

While home prices have declined, a kitchen
remodel continues to add value to your home.

With the United States in an economic recession and the housing market in turmoil, spending money on a kitchen remodel might seem scary. Yet while home prices have declined, a kitchen remodel continues to add value to your home, depending on where you live and how you spend your dollars. According to the 2008-09 Cost vs. Value Report*, kitchen remodels rank just after siding and window replacement—both of which tend to be "must-do" rather than "nice-to-do" projects—in return on investment.

The numbers reported below are national averages; inn general, the Pacific states region outperformed the rest of the nation despite higher costs. For example, in Los Angeles, a minor kitchen remodel averages a cost of $23,135, with a return of 97.9 percent. In Detroit, however, the same project costs $22,784, with a return of just 53 percent.

Minor Kitchen Remodel, Mid-Range

The 2008-09 report puts the national average price of a mid-range minor kitchen remodel at $21,246, averaging a return of 79.5 percent (down from last year’s 83 percent) a year later. What is a minor kitchen remodel? According to Remodeling, it’s a 200-square-foot kitchen with 30 linear feet of cabinetry and countertops. The cabinets get refaced with new raised-panel wood doors, drawers and hardware, but the boxes stay. Laminate countertops and vinyl flooring are removed and replaced with the same material, but in updated colors and patterns. You also get a new, energy-efficient wall oven and cook top, a new mid-priced sink and faucet, wall covering, and a new paint job on your trim.

Major Kitchen Remodel, Mid-Range

A major kitchen remodel at a mid-range price will run an average of $56,611, according to the report. A year later, you can expect to recoup 76 percent (down from 78.1 percent) of that. This 200-square-foot kitchen features a 3-by-5-foot island, 30 linear feet of semi-custom wood cabinets, laminate countertops, and a double-bowl stainless-steel sink with single-lever faucet. Add new energy-efficient appliances: wall oven, cook top, ventilation system, built-in microwave, dishwasher, garbage disposal, and custom lighting. Finish up with new vinyl flooring and paint for the walls, trim and ceiling.

Major Kitchen Remodel, Upscale

Price tag: $110,964, according to the report, with an ROI of 70.7 percent (down from 74.1 percent). It's an easy bill to run up in a 200-square-foot kitchen with 30 linear feet of custom cherry cabinets with interior accessories, natural stone countertops, and an imported ceramic or glass tile backsplash. Appliances include a built-in refrigerator, cook top, 36-inch commercial-grade range and vent hood, built-in warming drawer, trash compactor and built-in microwave/convection oven. Then add a high-end under mount sink; designer faucets; built-in water filtration system; general, task and under-cabinet lighting; cork flooring; and cherry trim. 

The Good News

Inflation hasn't hit yet. Compared to the 2007 report, the average price of all three types of kitchen remodels rose just slightly, from $21,185, $55,503 and $109,394, respectively. That's a cost increase to the consumer of 0.3 percent for a minor kitchen remodel, 2 percent for a major mid-range remodel and 1.4 percent for an upscale.

 *The 2008-09 Cost vs. Value Report—a joint study done by the National Association of Realtors and Remodeling magazine—provides national and regional averages. The report estimates the cost of an average home improvement project and compares it to the value it would recoup if the home sold a year later. In 2008, more than 4,000 real-estate agents, brokers and appraisers in 80 cities provided ROI estimates.

• Color Trends 2009

Shades of Optimism

With transition on the horizon, color experts have identified a need for optimism as yellow emerges as a popular color choice in 2009. Yellow both comforts and invigorates, with popular shades ranging from a bright, greenish citron to a soothing, orange-toned mimosa. As a hue found in nature, yellow also signifies a vibrant continuation of environmental awareness in design. Expect yellow to pop up in kitchen design as walls go from buttercup to bold and appliances take on striking yellow finishes.

• Eco-Friendly Materials

Countertop Choices

Countertops need to be installed on top of a substrate. Start your green efforts by making sure that substrate is made from FSC-certified plywood, wheat board, or formaldehyde-free MDF rather than particleboard or MDF containing formaldehyde. Environmentally conscious choices for the counters themselves include:

Paper or glass composite  countertops may include recycled paper, wood pulp, recycled glass or crushed stone. Examples include PaperStone, Richlite, Vetrazzo and IceStone. Strong and durable, these materials do include resin or epoxy, but they do not off gas.

Concrete has gained popularity thanks to decorative techniques such as staining, coloring, stamping, scoring and sealing that make it customizable and attractive. Highly durable, concrete must be sealed periodically to protect against staining. Cons: The aggregate mixed with the cement and water should be recycled for concrete to count as green.

Bamboo, a grass that looks like wood and grows rapidly, becomes large enough to harvest in three to six years. Its rapid growth inherently makes it a much sustainable product than most hardwood species. Cons: No third-party organization monitors environmental regulations and worker safety. The resins used to laminate it often contain urea formaldehyde. Avoid near sinks and wet areas.

Stone, especially granite, is a popular, beautiful and durable countertop option. Stone is also a natural material. Most stone counters requiring sealing to protect against staining—be sure to use a low-VOC sealant. Cons: It is not a renewable resource.

Wood is a naturally found material, but beware of harmful logging practices that destroy old growth forests and damage ecosystems. Look for wood with FSC certification, and use low-VOC sealants and water-based finishes. Cons: Other third-party certification standards are not as stringent as FSC. Some species—African teak, Brazilian rosewood and Caribbean mahogany, for example—are endangered. Avoid wood counters near sinks and wet areas.

Stainless Steel often contains a significant amount of recycled steel and doesn't off gas. It is durable but can be scratched and show fingerprints. Cons: Mining and refining steel uses a large amount of energy and pollutes the environment.

Some tile, such as ceramic and glass, can be made with recycled content such as old light bulbs, bottles and porcelain fixtures. Ceramic tile is durable and biodegradable. Use low-VOC adhesives.